Colusa man fined after admitting to baiting, killing wood ducks

A Colusa man was fined $7,500 Tuesday after pleading guilty to two misdemeanors related to baiting a field with corn and killing wood ducks drawn to it.

Ronald C. Simmons, 76, pleaded guilty to unlawful baiting and unlawful taking of a migratory game bird, in violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

According to court documents, on Oct. 21, 2017, opening day of waterfowl season in the Sacramento Valley, Simmons and his invited guests shot and killed 16 wood ducks over a baited cornfield at Butte Creek Farms.

Simmons, who managed a field on the Colusa County property, had previously rolled unharvested cornstalks and intentionally spread corn kernels onto the field as bait for wood ducks, a migratory bird.

Exposed and scattered corn kernels can lure and attract migratory birds. According to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, it is unlawful to hunt migratory birds using bait.